Upcoming Storm Has PG&E Preparing For Outages; Wants Customers To Be Ready Too
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — The big storm expected to hit the Bay Area this week has PG&E preparing in advance to respond to power outages and is recommending that customers to do the same.
PG&E Preparing For Outages; Wants Customers To Be Ready Too
The storm, that will begin late Wednesday and last through Thursday night, will bring heavy rain and strong winds that could uproot trees, down power lines and cause flooding and mudslides.
PG&E spokesman Joe Molica told KCBS that the utility is keeping a close watch on it.
"I just got off the phone with our meteorology department here at PG&E and they are expecting winds over some of the elevated terrain here in the Bay Area of up to 60 to 70 miles per hour. That, combined with the drought stressed trees, we do expect that there will be some outages," he said.
Molica said their meteorology department will help the company pinpoint where outages are likely to occur so crews can respond quickly.
KPIX 5 Weather Center: Current Conditions & Bay Area Forecast
He said that customers also should be prepared.
"Have that cell phone—or, even better, a hardwire single-line on hand because cordless phones won't work without electricity," he said.
Molica also suggests that customers make sure to have working flashlights and plenty of fresh batteries in case the power goes out, but said to avoid using candles.
